Oklahoma is mostly laid out in a square grid, with some tweaking to account for the curvature of the earth at this latitude. Each square is theoretically one mile on each side. Most of the state is criss-crossed by roads which follow these survey lines. We call them “section lines.”
Took a second look today and realized when I crossed an open area, I was quite close to the next section line north of the woods. It required recalibrating my estimates. By the way the crow flies, the trail is now about three-quarter mile, but if you account for all the twists and turns, it’s just about a mile.
Today the trail turned east and crossed the open area just exactly where I planned, entering the largest wooded section again. I probably made about 100 yards in three hours. It was slow going because I had lots of dead fall to move. If I can’t feasibly get on the other side and pull it off my intended path, I am forced to chip away at it until the path is clear. I few more yards east and I’ll turn back north for the last loop. I’m watching the terrain and trying to avoid any significant declines.
I estimate when the entire trail is finished, it will easily cover two miles. I’m looking forward to it, because lately my knees have quit hurting so bad, and I’m able run a bit.
